Transcript Coastal Communities and Marine Resources David Whitaker Department of Natural Resources DNR Divisions • Outreach and Support Services • Law Enforcement • Land,Water, and Conservation • Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries •

Coastal Communities and
Marine Resources
David Whitaker
Department of Natural Resources
DNR Divisions
• Outreach and Support
Services
• Law Enforcement
• Land,Water, and
Conservation
• Wildlife and
Freshwater Fisheries
• Marine Resources
Marine Division Activities
•
•
•
•
•
•
Management of Marine Resources
Monitoring of Resources
Research
Habitat Restoration/Enhancement
Island Management
Commenting on Coastal Permit Applications
Marine Division Regulatory
Authorities
• Open/close shrimp trawl and Shellfish
Harvesting Seasons
• Designate Oyster/Clam Harvesting Areas
• Open and Close Minor Fisheries (Crab
trawling, Whelk trawling)
• May issue permits for Certain Activities
(Horseshoe Crabs, Experimental Fishing)
Marine Division Regulatory
Authorities
• Fish Size Limits/ Creel Limits Set by
General Assembly
• State Law tracks With Federal FMPs
DNR Permit Review
Considerations
•
•
•
•
•
Endangered and Threatened Species
Impacts Upon Wetlands
Impacts Upon Water Quality/Quantity
Impacts Upon Critical Habitats
Impacts Upon Users (Consumptive/Nonconsumptive)
• Quality of Life Issues
Relative Value of Commercial
Fisheries
$25.4 Million
Crabs
$19.3 Million
Crabs
Shellfish
Shrimp
Shrimp
Shellfish
Fish
Fish
23-Yr Average
2004
120000
115000
110000
105000
100000
95000
90000
85000
80000
75000
70000
1,100,000
Licenses
1,050,000
1,000,000
950,000
900,000
Population
850,000
05
20
04
20
03
20
02
20
01
00
20
20
99
19
98
19
97
19
96
19
95
19
94
19
93
800,000
19
Coastal Population
1,150,000
SW License Sales
Coastal Population and Saltwater
Recreational License Sales
Shrimp Trawler License Sales
1500
1300
1100
900
700
Years
3
1
99
97
95
93
91
89
87
85
83
81
79
77
500
75
No. of Licenses
1700
Blue Crab Commercial License Sales
600
500
Change in License Law
400
300
200
100
02
0
98
96
94
92
90
88
86
84
82
80
78
76
74
72
70
68
66
64
62
60
58
56
54
52
50
0
White Shrimp Fall Harvest (Aug-Dec)
Millions of Pounds (hds-on)
8
7
6
Baiting Catch
Trawling Catch
5
4
3
2
1
0
72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04
Annual Blue Crab Commercial Landings
Years
Mostly Trotline Crabs
1
98
95
92
89
86
83
80
77
74
71
68
65
62
59
56
53
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
50
Millions of Pounds
Disease?
Red Drum Year Classes
6
5
CPUE
4
3
Long-term average
2
1
0
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Year
S. C. Oyster Landings
U. S. bushels
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
Produced by: SCDNR / MRD / OFM / Shellfish Management Section
03
/0
4
02
/0
3
01
/0
2
00
/0
1
99
/0
0
89
/9
9
97
/9
8
96
/9
7
95
/9
6
94
/9
5
93
/9
4
92
/9
3
91
/9
2
0
What Affects Species
Abundance?
• Weather – Rainfall, Temperature
• Available Habitat
• Primary Productivity
• Harvesting Activity
• Water Quality
Coastal Water Characterizations Based
Upon 2003 Water Quality Data
Conditionally Approved
1.4%
15.4%
Restricted
13.0%
Approved
70.2%
Total area = 571,015 acres
Prohibited
Coastal Water Characterizations Based
Upon 2005 Water Quality Data
Conditionally Approved
1.4%
18.7%
Restricted
12.3%
Approved
67.6%
Total area = 571,015 acres
Prohibited
Surface and Subsurface Flow to Water
Bodies
Stream
Edisto Beach
Oyster Area
1978
= Prohibited
= Restricted
Edisto Beach
Oyster Area
1991
= Prohibited
= Restricted
Edisto Beach
Oyster Area
2000
= Prohibited
= Restricted
What About the Future?
• Coastal Growth – Water Quality, Habitat
• Climate Change
• Sea Level Rise
• Emerging Diseases
• Harvesting Effort
• Waterfront Access for Commercial
Seafood Operations
Current Activities
• BMP for Wildlife Study
• Oyster Restoration/Recycling
• Review of Oyster Fishery Laws
• Proposed Legislation on Blue Crab
Fishery
Public Opinion Survey
Regarding Charleston Harbor
• Charleston Harbor water quality Will be
safe for Fisheries In 20 years – 26.9 %
Agree
• Urban Growth should be supported only if
its is done in a reasonable and ecologically
acceptable manner -- 97.4 % Agree
David Whitaker
953-9392
[email protected]
Crab Licenses by County in 1995
140
120
100
80
White
Black
60
40
20
0
Chas
Beau
Gtown
Horry
Counties
Colleton
Others
What Affects Landings?
• Fishing Effort/ fishing Power Which is
influenced by:
–
–
–
–
Species Abundance
Value of Fish
Cost to Catch Fish
Regulations
Coastal Population Growth Since 1960
Population (Millions)
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2004
Growth in Horry and Beaufort Counties
Population (Thousands)
250
200
150
Beaufort County
Horry County
100
50
0
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2004
Horlbeck Creek, Charleston Co.,
Land Use Change: 1994-1999 (adapted from F. Holland)
1994
1999
DNR Vision
Our vision for South Carolina is an enhanced
quality of life for present and future
generations through improved
understanding, wise use, and safe
enjoyment of healthy, diverse, sustainable
and accessible natural resources.
North Inlet vs. Murrells Inlet
Total PAH Concentrations
North Inlet
Murrells Inlet
Concentration (ppb)
800
n=16
700
600
500
n=10
400
300
200
n=10
n=11
n=6
n=4
100
0
Inner
Mid
Outer
Location
Location
Inner
Mid
Outer
Annual Loading (1993) of Surface and Subsurface
Inorganic Nitrogen (IN) and Organic Nitrogen (N)
into Charleston Harbor.
500
400
Wando R.
Ashley R.
Cooper R.
300
200
100
0
Surface IN
Subsurface IN
Organic N